DROP THE F-BOMB IN YOUR BUSINESS

An innovative approach to pumping much-needed fun into business life.

In his nonfiction debut, longtime corporate coach Kusiak observes that, in the work environment of the moment, “companies are moving from rigid hierarchical structures to more flexible, collaborative environments to meet the new workforce’s aspirations and preferences.” In his contention, the old “grind culture” of the business world, although still widely accepted, simply doesn’t work. Instead, he maintains, it’s crucial to keep your day-to-day business routine fun and exciting. “Incorporating small, fun activities or habits into your daily routine,” writes the author, “helps alleviate stress, break up the monotony of the workday, and create a more enjoyable atmosphere where everyone can let off some steam.” In these pages, he lays out the nuts and bolts of his “P.L.A.Y.” (“Prioritize Laughter and Youth”) strategy, designed to counteract monotony and unlock the greater fulfillment and productivity that comes with a happier, more engaged workforce. His P.L.A.Y. approach involves familiar employee “fun breaks” like mini golf, card games, Frisbee golf, scavenger hunts, trivia contests, and the like, all intended to inject a greater atmosphere of levity and play into American workplaces that, per Kusiak, are still far too nose-to-the-grindstone. In a typically lighthearted strategy to guard against possible negative reactions to the antics he’s advocating, the author advises adopting the “Rule of Grandma”: “If an activity, joke, or comment is inappropriate for your grandma, it’s likely inappropriate for the workplace.” Kusiak largely discounts one of the biggest possible obstacles to his strategy, which is the fact that many people don’t want to have fun at work—they want to put in their time and then have their fun at home. But those on board will find plenty of good ideas here.

A lively, practical, slightly idealistic guide to making the workplace more fun.